Bidspirit auction | BEAKER WITH ENGRAVING

BEAKER WITH ENGRAVING - Northern Bohemia, probably Mistrovice (Meistersdorf) near Nový Bor, Johann Josef Vogel (1757–1828), 1806 A cylindrical beaker of colourless cut glass, decorated with meticulous matt engraving with polished accents: an armorial motif of a single-tailed lion rampant and the initials ”SA” in a suspended medallion, with floral / ornamental borders at both the upper and lower edges. The initials probably refer to Amálie von Schönborn (1786–1854), daughter of Alois Johann von Schönborn (1754–1805). Amálie married Baron von Kienmayer in 1806. Such a luxuriously engraved glass was a typical wedding gift for a bride from the high aristocracy. At the time, wedding gifts often featured the bride`s monogram accompanied by the coat of arms of her father`s family, to emphasise the continuity and nobility of her lineage. This interpretation explains the exceptionally fine and ornate engraving, which was customary for gifts intended for ladies. Amálie`s father is historically closely linked to the production of luxury glass in Northern Bohemia. As head of the Bohemian branch of the family (he owned the estates of Dlažkovice and Skalka), he was a direct patron of the masters in Mistrovice and Kamenický Šenov. Records exist of sets of ”lordly glass” bearing the lion crest and the monogram AS (Alois Schönborn), which served representative purposes at his Northern Bohemian residences. Surviving examples of such production are documented, for instance, in the Lanna Collection. The present beaker may be a rare survivor from such a larger table set. See: Olga Drahotová, ”K historii rytého skla v Mistrovicích a Kamenickém Šenově na přelomu 18. a 19. století.” In: Umění, vol. XXVI (1978), no. 4, pp. 320–345. Border: The same type of floral wreath (garland) at the upper rim was the ”signature” of Mistrovice engravers in the years 1800–1805. The engraver was probably a member of the Vogel family, most likely Johann Josef Vogel (1757–1828). H. 11.5 cm. Unmarked. Condition A/B.